Pak spending megabucks on its gurdwaras

The Pakistani govenment shall spend to the tune of Rs 360 million for the restoration and upkeep of its religious spots, particularly gurdwaras.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Deputy Administrator (Shrines), Syed Faraz Abbas has said that the government is spending Rs 360.3 million on restoration and maintenance of gurudwaras.

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Talking to reporters at Gurdwara Punja Sahib, Hassanabdal, Abbas said the ETPB had prepared a master plan to provide maximum facilities to the Sikh pilgrims to make their stay comfortable, and for the upkeep of religious places, specially gurdwaras.

According to him, the government had allocated a sum of Rs 21.5 million for provision of different facilities at Gurdwara Punja Sahib during the fiscal year 2006-07. Under this plan, work on a modern Langer Khana (Kitchen) is nearing completion at a cost of Rs 20 million.

Similarly, a sum of Rs 1.5 million is being spent on renovation, facelift and maintenance of the gurdwara.

The deputy administrator was quoted by the Dawn as saying that in fiscal year 2007-08, a sum of Rs 338.8 million would be spent on various mega projects to facilitate pilgrims and their religious rituals, especially during the Baisakhi festival.